The Flip Side

Hidden Stories in Plain Sight: Inspiration from the Piano Man

Everywhere we go, we pass people carrying beautiful novels inside them — stories unfolding quietly, often unnoticed. Most days, we move too quickly to see the pages turning. But every now and then, someone reminds us to slow down and look beneath the surface. This is the story of the piano man.

A Diner Full of Hidden Stories

In my hometown, there’s a small diner tucked beside the railroad tracks. Its old-fashioned charm draws some people in and sends others hurrying past. But for those who step inside, it’s more than a place to grab a cup of coffee — it’s a place where stories live.The owners have weathered storms most never hear about. Family members serve with genuine warmth and compassion. Words of gratitude and welcome echo throughout as customers find their place inside. Some lean in and join the conversations while others keep their distance. Still, the atmosphere softens just about anyone, even if only a moment.And then there’s the silver‑haired piano man.Every day at lunchtime, he settles in at the keys — slightly disheveled, quietly radiant with a twinkle in his eye. His music drifts through the diner evoking memories of yesteryear. Many people enjoy the melodies but never ask about the man behind them.

The Day Our Stories Crossed

One day, I slipped into the diner alone, hoping to disappear into a corner. My own story was unfolding in an unexpected twist, and I was struggling with what it might mean to turn the page.I slipped in behind the piano man. Our eyes met briefly, and then he began to play — notes that felt like they were reaching backward in time. When he finished his song and the notes dwindled to silence, he turned toward me and spoke.What I discovered was a story far richer than his worn appearance suggested.

A Gift That Refused to Stay Hidden

He told me he had loved music since boyhood, though his parents discouraged it. They wanted him to pursue something “practical,” something stable. He tried. He really did. But the call to play never left him.As a young usher in a theatre, carrying a “torch”, he discovered Sinatra and other legends. Music became even more embedded into the fiber of who he was. And it was here; a different torch was lit as he met the woman who would become his wife. She believed in his gift when others didn’t. With her encouragement, he built a career as a college music professor. His parents eventually came around.Now retired, he still plays wherever he can — in diners, in nursing homes, in any place where music can lift a spirit. He no longer carries a flashlight to guide people to their seats, yet somehow, he still lights up every room he enters.

The Lesson Beneath the Surface

His story reminded me of something I had forgotten in my own chapter change: Your gift is, indeed, a gift and it is still meant to be played. It may get hidden for a chapter or two.People might misunderstand it. They may discourage it. They may not see the value in what you carry. But the gift beneath the surface has a way of resurfacing — often in the most unexpected places.

Don’t Stop Playing

Whatever your gift is — music, writing, teaching, creating, encouraging — pursue it. Hone it. Share it. Your story might be the spark someone else needs. Your courage might awaken someone who has gone quiet. Your persistence might inspire someone to turn their own page.Don’t stop playing. Your story matters more than you know.